Transcript for Maryland Governor Hopeful Doug Gansler Trying to Explain Why There Was Underage Drinking at His Home

An uproar on on age old debate. How tough should adults be when teenagers drink at parties in terms of the conscience and also the law. Tonight a dad is under fire for his choice. Jim avila has that story. Reporter: Delaware shore's notorious beach week and a photo the maryland attorney general now running for governor wishes had never been taken and never been published in the baltimore sun. That's doug gansler, highest ranking offer in his state in the middle of what some of at the party admit was underage drinking. There may have been college students or others drinking beer. I don't know. Reporter: When the story broke he said even if kids were drinking he had no moral authority to stop them, a little different than the advice he handed out in this public service announcement. It's never too early to talk with your kids about smart ways to say no. Reporter: Did you set a good example about going into a party and participating? I'm walking through. It shows you taking a picture. I did not take any pictures. Is that your hand in the picture? No. My guess is that I'm reading a text. In fact, the second picture appears to show him looking at more than his phone. By the end of today's press conference conceding -- that I should have probably been more observant and determined whether there was drinking going on. Reporter: At least 24 states hold adults libel in some way for accidents, injuries, or damage done by teenage drinkers. Parents are the leading influence in their kids' decisions to drink or not to drink. Reporter: One the maryland attorney general would like another shot at. Jim avila, abc news, washington.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.

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